"No" means "maybe later"

In the past, I have said I would NEVER EVER NEVER do the following:

• Get married. 
  
  • Was married December 30, 1992.

• Have a baby.
  
  • Had a baby June 4, 2007.

• Work in a small office again (damn you, evil comic book ladies!).
  
  • Started full time for the boss June 2008, after doing K work starting in 2006.

• Own a small dog.
  
  • Um....

(Which begs the question, why do I make such broad, sweeping pronouncements?) 

 Anyway.  On Tuesday I popped in to Dogstar, a dog daycare business a couple of blocks from my office.  I'd been in once before, when I was trying to figure out what to do about Norris.  The owner of the business, Theresa, was the first person who said, "You know your dog.  You probably already know what you should do."  And she was right - I did.  It sucked.  I did it anyway, I know it was the right decision, and can (usually) look myself in the eye in the mirror each morning.  It was interesting, though, because at that point I talked to her, I realized I'd met someone who shared the same dog philosophy that Matthew and I share.

Dogstar has dogs available to foster or adopt via the Pixie Project - there are usually a handful around at any given point.  And I don't know what made me decide to pop in on Tuesday to see what dogs were available to adopt, except that Tuesday was...odd... at the office, with some weird interpersonal dynamic things going on, and I kept wanting to get out and walk around the neighborhood.

By the end of the day, I was taking a scruffy little terrier-mix home.  She'd been fostered and taught manners by Theresa, the Dogstar owner.  She's an adult, and she maybe weighs 15 pounds, dripping wet.  My best guess as to her antecedents: wire-hair Jack Russell, dachsund, and maybe some Chinese Crested.  She looks just like my husband's beloved boyhood dog, Skippy.

 

Deep breath.  I now own a small dog.  After many false starts, she has been named "Peanut."  She is sweet.  She's around 2.  She has a yappy bark, but thank God doesn't bark much.  She adores me.  She is sweet with Peach, and genuinely delighted to see her when Peach wakes up from a nap.  (I am more worried about the baby hurting the dog than the other way around.) 

Sweet dog.  Mellow, too, for a terrier mix.  She hangs out at my feet all day (she has been going to work with me - the size was a selling point, as our office is in a loft with a HOA that limits dog sizes).  She has been hugely popular when I've taken her out and about to lunch. 

What's more, she's socialized.  She does bark at other dogs, but I don't have to worry about her attacking them - or children, for that matter.   She sits quietly in the car on the way to and from work, and sometimes filches Peach's snack.  She fits into our lives very well and is perfectly happy to be along for the ride.

So, I'm sure I'll regret this later, but I think she's the easiest dog we've ever had.  It's not the same as our shepherding breeds - there is no confusing this dog for a short, ugly human, the way we might with our border collie - but there is a lot to be said for easy (and portable). 

[Mea culpa, Sarah!  I promise I won't bring him over unannounced, like some siblings. :)]

Comments

[LL]

Aww, congrats!! Fostered, adopted dogs are the best- we certainly love ours and I'm sure Landon can't imagine life without his two furrier siblings. I love that you can take her to work!

[Kim]

Congrats! I have a short fat French bulldog who is great with Henry, so I think you, Peach & family will be very happy with Peanut!

[Yin]

Congratulations! She looks very sweet. I grew up with terriers (yorkshire). I don't think I ever mentioned that to you for fear of being mocked. :-)

[Ann]

Congrats! She's so lucky to have found a home with you guys.